By Emily Price on Mashable
Last month Microsoft announced plans to create a concept car to inspire developers to build apps and automotive technologies for the future. Now, with the help of a company called West Coast Customs, Microsoft made good on that promise with this 2012 Ford Mustang.
The company took the vintage ride to the next level using all items available to anyone form their favorite electronics retailer, and a little code.
The Mustang has Kinect sensors hooked up to the front of the vehicle which can also be used to look at pedestrians or objects surrounding the vehicle. The sensors also allow you to log in from a cell phone from wherever you are and see what’s going on in front of your ride.
The inside of the Mustang sports two Windows 8 tablets –something not available to general public until later this year– on the dashboard. One tablet takes the place of your traditional gauges, and can be swiped across to be given a new look. A tablet mounted on the passenger side of the car can be used to send messages and surf the web, as well as create messages that are displayed on the rear window of the car for other drivers.
The car also has a projection screen hooked up to the rear — which is hooked up to an Xbox for gaming.
You can locate, unlock, and start your wheels all from the Viper SmartStart app for Windows Phone, and another Windows Phone application allows you to speak through the vehicles external audio PA system. Accent lighting, and the Mustangs horn sound can also be customized from an app.
What do you think about the tech Microsoft had added to the car? Are any of the features something you’d like to see come standard on your next vehicle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
